Water tank with integrated seat

ABSTRACT

A storage tank ( 10 ) has a hollow interior ( 25 ) defined by at least one wall, the at least one wall having at least two wall portions ( 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24 ) and defining at least one passageway ( 60 ) communicating with the exterior of the tank that extends between at least two ( 12, 18 ) of the at least two wall portions ( 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24 ) and through the hollow interior ( 25 ).

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to water tanks and more particularly water tanks that may also be used as furniture, such as seats and the like.

BACKGROUND

Use of water tanks in domestic houses for collecting rainwater from roofs is increasing. However, inherently, the tanks require a relatively large volume. If placed above ground such tanks inherently reduce the amount of ground available for other uses. Current water tanks are typically tall cylindrical containers, although some “slim line” tanks are available that, in plan view, are generally two semicircular walls joined by parallel opposed walls. Neither style of tank is suitable for dual use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed toward a water tank that may be provided with a secondary purpose and more particularly to a water tank that may be used as furniture. In preferred embodiments the invention provides a water tank that also functions as at least a base of a chair, lounge or seat.

In one broad form the invention provides a storage tank having a hollow interior defined by at least one wall, the at least one wall having at least two spaced apart wall portions and defining at least one passageway communicating with the exterior that extends between at least two spaced apart wall portions and through the hollow interior.

The part of the wall defining the passageway(s) acts as reinforcing extending between at least two spaced apart wall portions and allows a load applied to one spaced apart wall portion to be transferred to at least another of the at least two spaced apart wall portions.

In a preferred embodiment the at least one wall comprises a single continuous wall.

There may be multiple passageways.

The at least one passageway preferably has, in end view a circular cross section. The at least one passageway preferably extends along a straight path between spaced apart wall portions. The at least one passageway may have an end view cross sectional area that is constant or varying along its length. In a preferred form the at least one passageway has an end view cross section that increases along its length, preferably linearly. Where the end view cross section is circular preferably the at least one passageway is substantially conical.

A passageway may split into multiple passageways or two or more passageways may join together. Accordingly, where there are multiple passageways the number of openings formed by the passageways in one wall portion need not equal the number of openings formed by the passageways in another wall portion. Further, passageways may extend from one wall portion to multiple other wall portions.

Where more than one passageway extends between spaced apart wall portions they may be arranged to lie upon at least one line. The at least one line is preferably straight but may follow other paths. In a preferred form there are two spaced apart parallel lines and adjacent passageways are located on alternate lines.

One or both of the two spaced apart wall portions may have at least one recessed portion that surrounds the opening of each passageway. Where there are multiple passageways there may be a single recessed portion that surrounds all of the openings or multiple recessed portions, each of which surrounds one or more openings. In the preferred form where the openings follow a zig-zag path preferably a single recessed portion surrounds all of the openings and has a zig-zag shape.

In the preferred forms the two spaced apart wall portions comprise a top wall portion and a bottom wall portion. The majority of the top and bottom wall portions may be substantially planar.

In a preferred form the top wall portion extends in a first direction substantially parallel to the bottom wall portion but is angled to the bottom wall portion in a second direction transverse to the first direction. Preferably the angle is about 5 degrees.

The top wall portion preferably is adapted to have a cushion or the like placed upon its upper surface. Preferably the top wall portion is provided with retaining structure to aid retention of a cushion on the top wall portion. In a preferred embodiment at least part of the peripheral region of the top wall portion is raised above the majority of the top wall portion. The at least part may form one or more protrusions or one or more upwardly extending lips, most preferably a continuous or substantially continuous lip.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view from above of a tank according to an embodiment of the invention partially covered with cushions.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view from below of the tank of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the tank of FIG. 1 without cushions.

FIG. 4 is a plan view from above of the tank of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a front view of the tank of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a plan view from below of the tank of FIG. 3.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view from above of the tank of FIG. 3.

FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view of the tank of FIG. 3 taken along line AA in FIG. 5.

FIG. 9 is a detail cross sectional view of portion the tank labelled F in FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a detail cross sectional view of portion the tank labelled G in FIG. 8.

FIG. 11 is a detail cross sectional view of portion the tank labelled H in FIG. 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED AND OTHER EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the drawings there is shown a water tank 10. The tank is in the form of a chair or lounge.

The tank 10 comprises at least one wall 11 defined by base wall portion 12, front wall portion 14, rear wall portion 16, seat wall portion 18, backrest wall portion 20, upper wall portion 22 and end wall portions 24. One or more of the wall portions may be formed integrally with each other and as a whole define a substantially sealed space 25 for storage of water.

The tank is designed to also act as a chair or lounge and accordingly seat wall portion 18 is spaced above base wall portion by about 400 mm and the front 26 of seat wall portion 18 is raised compared to the rear 28 so seat wall portion 18 is angled at about 5 degrees. Neither is critical and the heights and angle may be modified as desired. The backrest wall portion 20 extends upwards from the rear 28 of seat wall portion 18 and extends at about 98 degrees to seat wall portion 18, i.e. about 13 degrees backwards to the vertical and upwards about 420 mm. Again neither is critical and the heights and angle may be modified as desired.

Seat wall portion 18 and backrest wall portion 20 are designed to receive seat and backrest cushions 30, 32 respectively and accordingly, are recessed relative to adjoining wall portions. As best seen in FIG. 9 the seat wall portion 18 has a peripheral portion 34 that is raised about 15 mm above central portion 36. Transition portion 38 extends between portions 34 and 36. In this embodiment transition portion 38 is angled at about 45 degrees to both portions 34 and 36. The angle and step height are not critical. Similarly, as seen in FIG. 10, backrest wall portion 20 has peripheral portion 40 that extends forward about 5 mm relative to central portion 42 and joined by transition portion 44, angled at about 45 degrees to both portions 40 and 42. The angle and step height are not critical. The lip formed by peripheral portions 34 and 40 serves to retain cushions 30 and 32. If desired other means of retaining cushions may be used. If desired, if the tank is to be used without one or both of the seat and backrest cushions the relevant lips may be omitted. In the embodiment shown the raised peripheral portions 34 and 40 are continuous and form a single lip surrounding the cushion areas. It is not critical that there be a single continuous lip and, if desired, one or more gaps may be provided.

The tank 10 has an inlet/outlet connection 50 located at the centre and base of the rear wall 16 and a vent 52 located at the centre and top of the rear wall 16. The inlet/outlet connection 50 has two openings 54 facing opposite sides of the tank to allow a water pipe to be connected from either the left or right of the tank. If only one pipe is connected the other of the openings 54 may be sealed with a cap or the like. The rear wall 16 is curved forwards at its sides and pipe recesses 56 are provided to allow pipework to extend from either or both of the openings 54. The location of the inlet/outlet connection 50 at the rear of the tank allows the water connections to be hidden from view and away from where a user will sit or otherwise interact with the tank. However, if desired the inlet/outlet connection 50 may be located elsewhere, for example in the side walls 24. The interior of the tank may be filled with water, potentially filling the space 25 until water flows from overflow 52.

Conventional water tanks are not designed to be sat upon and, accordingly, the top surface is typically both unsuitable for sitting upon from a comfort factor (height, shape, etc.) but also from a structural aspect. Whilst the side walls of conventional water tanks are designed to cope with the load from a full tank, typically the top surface is merely designed to close the tank and prevent debris entering. Tanks designed for underground installation may be designed to accommodate a layer of earth above them so have higher vertical load capacities. However, these are not designed for sitting upon and are usually variations of cylinders, sometimes with ribs.

To allow a person or persons to sit upon the top surface of the tank requires a large generally horizontally extending surface. However, such a large surface, only supported at its periphery will sag under load. Further, as water tanks are typically formed of plastics materials, long term creep can occur, resulting in permanent deformation.

Water tanks are typically formed by rotational moulding, so as to provide a single mounding without joints that may leak. However, using rotational moulding internal reinforcing extending between two opposed walls is not achievable.

Accordingly, the invention provides a series of passageways 60 between the seat wall portion 18 and base wall portion 12. These passageways 60 are formed as continuations of the outside surfaces of the seat wall portion 18 and base wall portion 12 and so do not require any internal structure in the rotational mould. The passageways 60 are preferably circular in cross section.

The wall of the passageways 60 acts as reinforcement to the upper seat wall portion 18. Loads applied to the seat wall portion 18 by one or more persons sitting on the seat wall portion 18 will be transferred by the walls of the passageways 60 and the seat wall portion 18 will not deflect or sag to any significant extent.

As seen in FIG. 3, in the embodiment shown there are seven passageways 60 spaced along the width of the tank. Further, these passageways 60 are arranged alone two transverse lines 62, 64, so that adjacent passageways 60 are on alternate lines 62, 64 to form a zig-zag arrangement. In the embodiment shown the centres of the passageways are spaced along respective lines at about 500 mm and the lines are spaced at about 260 mm. Other spacings may be used. A zig-zag arrangement is preferred but not essential.

As best seen in FIG. 8, the centreline 66 of each passageway is generally perpendicular to the base wall portion 12.

Each passageway has an opening 68 in the seat wall portion 18 and an opening 70 in the base wall portion 12.

The seat wall portion 18 is provided with a recess 72 that extends around each opening 68 and extends between the openings 68 to form a single continuous zig zag recess. Whilst a continuous recess 72 is preferred, the recess 72 may be omitted totally. Multiple separate recesses may be provided that encircle less than the total number of openings 68. Separate recesses may encircle only one opening 68 or may encircle two or more openings 68.

In the embodiment shown the edge of recess 72 has part circle portions 74 that substantially encircle the openings 68 and parallel pairs of linear portions 76 extending between part circle portions 74. The separation of parallel pairs 76 is less than the diameter of part circle portions 74 and the transition between portions 74 and 76 is curved. The spacing of portions 76 and/or diameter of part circle portions 74 may be changed so the portions 76 are tangent to portions 74. Whilst portions 76 are linear and parallel, they need not be linear or parallel.

The walls 78 of the passageways 60 act to prevent any depression of the seat wall portion 18 at the openings 68. The recess 72 also provides additional rigidity to the seat wall portion 18 between the openings 68.

As seen in FIG. 8, the passageways 60 are conical in transverse cross section, increasing in size from the seat wall portion 18 to the base wall portion 12. The walls of passageways 60 diverge at about 20 degrees to their centreline. If desired the angle of divergence may be different, including zero (i.e. constant diameter) or negative (i.e. diverging upwards).

The openings 70 in the base wall portion 12 are also provided with a surrounding recess 80 similar to recess 72 in seat wall portion 18. Recess 80 comprises part circle portions 82 and parallel pairs of linear portions 84. The arrangement of the portions 82 and 84 is similar to that of portions 74 and 76 and may be modified in a similar manner.

Because the tank is intended for outside use, inherently it will be rained upon. The peripheral lips 34 surrounding seat wall portion 18 will retain any water that runs off the cushions onto the seat wall portion 18.

The seat wall portion 18 is sloped downwards towards the rear of the tank and any water will tend to flow toward and collect at the junction of the seat wall portion 18 and front wall of backrest.

As best seen in FIGS. 4 and 7 the recess 72 extends substantially across the width of the tank and has a secondary purpose of capturing water as it flows rearwards and directing it to the passageways 60 and onto the ground upon which the tank rests. The divergent nature of the passageways distributes any such water over the larger area then a cylindrical tube but this is a secondary effect.

The wall of recess 72 may be formed parallel to the majority of seat wall portion 18, albeit with a curved transition portion 86, as seen in FIG. 11. However, as the seat wall portion 18 slopes at about 5 degrees, the rearmost portions of recess 72 around the rear most openings 60 will be lower than those openings and water may collect. If desired the recessed portion may be formed so the rearmost portion slopes downwards toward openings 60 and water does not collect.

Whilst the seat wall portion 18 in the embodiment shown lies in a plane, if desired the seat wall portion 18 may be provided with a non planar surface to direct water toward the recess 72. A transverse extending gutter may be provided at the juncture of the seat wall portion 18 and back rest wall portion 20 to collect water and direct it to one or both of the transverse sides of the tank or into one or more of the passageways 60.

The tank of the embodiment shown is generally rectangular but the invention is not limited to such shapes and, for instance, a tank with a substantial curvature in its front wall portion 14, such as a semicircular shape, may be made according to the invention. Such curved tanks may be formed with front wall portion 14 being concave or convex. The tank of the embodiment shown has a hollow backrest formed by back rest wall portion 20 and an extension of wall portion 16. The back rest need not be hollow and, if desired, may be omitted totally.

Whilst the preferred embodiment has the passageways 60 extending to the base wall portion 12, if desired they may extend to other wall portions and still provide reinforcement and/or drainage for the structure. The passageways could extend to any one or more of the end wall portions 24, rear wall portion 16 and front wall portion 14.

Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and any claims the words “comprise”, “comprising”, and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of “including, but not limited to”.

The features of the invention described or mentioned in this document may be combined in any combination of features where features are not mutually exclusive.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many obvious modifications and variations may be made to the embodiments described herein without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. 

I claim:
 1. A storage tank having a hollow interior defined by at least one wall, the at least one wall having at least two wall portions and defining at least one passageway communicating with the exterior of the tank that extends between at least two of the at least two wall portions and through the hollow interior.
 2. The storage tank of claim 1 wherein at least one of the at least one passageway has at least one first opening in a first one of the at least two wall portions and at least one second opening in at least a second one of the at least two wall portions.
 3. The storage tank of claim 2 comprising at least multiple first openings in the first one of the at least two wall portions.
 4. The storage tank of claim 3 comprising at least multiple second openings in the second one of the at least two wall portions.
 5. The storage tank of claim 3 wherein at least one of the at least two wall portions comprises at least one recessed portion surrounding at least one of the first and second openings.
 6. The storage tank of claim 5 wherein at least one of the at least one recessed portion surrounds multiple openings.
 7. The storage tank of claim 6 wherein the multiple first openings comprise a first set that lies upon a first line and a second set that lies upon a second line and wherein adjacent first openings are located on alternate ones of the first and second lines.
 8. The storage tank of claim 6 wherein at least one of the at least one passageway comprises a central portion having an end view cross sectional area that varies with distance from a wall portion with which the respective passageway extends from.
 9. The storage tank of claim 8 wherein the central portion is conical, substantially conical or generally conical.
 10. The storage tank of claim 1 wherein the two wall portions comprise a top wall portion, adapted to be sat upon by a person, and a bottom wall portion adapted to rest upon the ground.
 11. The storage tank of claim 10 wherein the top wall portion includes at least one cushion retaining member to aid retention of a cushion placed on an upper surface of the top wall portion.
 12. The storage tank of claim 11 wherein the at least one cushion retaining member is raised above the majority of the top wall portion.
 13. The storage tank of claim 11 wherein the at least one retaining member comprises at least one of at least one protrusion and at least one upwardly extending lip.
 14. The storage tank of claim 10 wherein the top wall portion extends in a first direction substantially parallel to the bottom wall portion but is angled to the bottom wall portion in a second direction transverse to the first direction.
 15. The storage tank of claim 14 wherein the angle is about 5 degrees.
 16. The storage tank of claim 14 comprising at least multiple first openings in the top wall portion.
 17. The storage tank of claim 10 wherein at least one of the at least one passageway comprises a central portion having an end view cross sectional area that varies with distance from a wall portion with which the respective passageway extends from.
 18. The storage tank of claim 17 wherein the central portion is conical, substantially conical or generally conical.
 19. The storage tank of claim 8 wherein the at least one wall comprises a single continuous wall.
 20. The storage tank of claim 20 comprising a hollow back rest portion that has a forward surface extending upwardly from one of the at least two wall portions.
 21. A storage tank having a hollow interior defined by a single continuous wall, the single continuous wall comprising at least two wall portions, the at least two wall portions comprising a top wall portion, adapted to be sat upon by a person, and a bottom wall portion adapted to rest upon the ground; the top wall portion extending in a first direction substantially parallel to the bottom wall portion but angled to the bottom wall portion in a second direction transverse to the first direction; at least one passageway extending between the top and bottom wall portions through the hollow interior and communicating with the exterior of the tank; the at least one passageway comprising at least one first opening in the top wall portion and at least one second opening in the bottom wall portion at least the top wall portion comprising at least one recessed portion surrounding at least one of the at least one first opening; the at least one first passageway comprising a frusto-conical central portion; the top wall portion comprising a peripheral region, said peripheral region including at least one retaining member that is raised above the majority of the top wall portion, and a hollow back rest portion that has a forward surface extending upwardly from the top wall portion. 